Apple tree called &#39;Goldlane&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  (Borkh.) apple tree variety is provided which exhibits a columnar tree type, compact growth, predominant bearing on spurs and V f -resistance against scab. The new variety yields late maturing, medium-sized, generally globose to obloid yellow-colored apple fruits having a firm and crispy flesh with very good eating and keeping qualities.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Malus domestica (Borkh.)

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘GOLDLANE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of appletree botanically classified as Malus domestica (Borkh.) and known by thevarietal name ‘GOLDLANE’. The new variety is the result of a crossbetween ‘UEB 3138/1’ (female parent, unpatented) and ‘Bohemia’ (maleparent, unpatented). The cross resulting in ‘GOLDLANE’ occurred in theSpring of 1998 at 310 meters above sea level with a mean annualtemperature of 7.7° C. and a mean annual precipitation of 680 mm. Thepurpose of the breeding program was to develop late, dessert, diseaseresistant varieties with a columnar tree type. The new variety wasdiscovered in the Fall of 2003 with the first fruiting of the originalseedling in The Czech Republic. Subsequently, the new variety wasasexually reproduced at the Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR,v.v.i., Station Strizovice, 45 Pencin u Liberce in The Czech Republic bybudding/grafting on apple rootstocks in the Spring of 2004.

The new variety is similar to ‘UEB 3138/1’ as it is a columnar tree typeand exhibits the presence of V_(f)resistance against scab. However,‘GOLDLANE’ exhibits larger sized fruits with a higher firmness andbetter keeping quality than ‘UEB 3138/1’. The new variety is similar to‘Bohemia’ in fruit size and fruit eating quality, but differs from itsmale parent, as ‘Bohemia’ is a ramified tree type and does not displaythe presence of V_(f)-resistance against scab. Further, the new varietyhas fruits that are yellow in color while its parents have predominantlyred colored fruits. Additionally, the new variety is similar to appletree variety ‘Tuscan’ (aka, Bolero) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,225) incolumnar tree type, fruit bearing mainly on spurs, medium sized fruit,and fruit shape with a short stem. However, the new variety differs from‘Tuscan’ as it exhibits firm fruit flesh; the flesh of ‘Tuscan’ is soft.Further, ‘Tuscan has an orange skin overcolor on 20-25% of the fruitsurface, while such an overcolor is absent on the present variety.Finally, ‘Tuscan’ does not exhibit the presence of V_(f)-resistanceagainst scab. The following characteristics also distinguish the newvariety from other varieties known to the breeders:

-   -   Late, dessert-type, diploid variety;    -   Columnar tree type;    -   Trees exhibit medium vigor;    -   The growth habit is compact and dense with very short        internodes;    -   Medium-sized fruits;    -   Globose to obloid fruit shape;    -   The fruit ground color is yellow with no overcolor;    -   Short fruit stems;    -   Very good eating and fruit keeping quality; and    -   V_(f)-resistance against scab.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type. It should be noted that colors may vary with growingconditions and time of year:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the original tree of the new variety, showingcanopy form at blossoming time;

FIG. 2 shows a young, flowering tree of the new variety on MM 106rootstock;

FIG. 3 shows the blossoms of the new variety;

FIG. 4 shows a growing shoot of the new variety;

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the young and mature leaves of the newvariety; and

FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of the fruits of the new variety at pickingmaturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The new variety was grown under natural field conditionsin The Czech Republic. The growing area is 310 m above sea level with amean annual temperature of 7.7° C. and a mean annual precipitation of680 mm. The following fertilizer combination was used (Kg/ha/year): 55parts nitrogen, 25 parts phosphorous, 60 parts potassium, 55 partscalcium, and 5 parts magnesium. Color references are primarily to theR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London andwere identified under natural light.

-   Tree:-   Age: 9 years from sowing.-   Size: 3.4 m high, 0.6 m wide.-   Vigor: Medium.-   Density: Thick.-   Form: Erect and compact; free of conventional side branches.-   Production: Very precocious.-   Growth Type: Columnar.-   Bearing: Mainly on spurs.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 10 cm in diameter at 30 cm from the soil            line.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Bark color.—177B.        -   Lenticels (100 cm above ground).—Length: 4 mm to 6 mm.            Width: 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Color: 159D. Density: Approximately 8            lenticels per 1 cm².-   Branches:    -   -   Overall description.—A conventional branching system along            the tree trunk is lacking.        -   Diameter.—Very small.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—166A.        -   Form.—Straight.        -   Average crotch angle.—About 45 degrees.        -   Bud arrangement.—Alternate. Internode length: 1.6 cm.        -   Lenticels (on 1 year shoot).—Length: 0.5 mm. Width: 0.5 mm.            Shape: Round. Density: Variable, with a mean of 10 lenticels            per 1 cm². Color: 159C.-   Leaves (measured at the middle of growing shoot):    -   -   Length.—About 100 mm to about 120 mm, averaging 109 mm.        -   Width.—About 60 mm to about 80 mm, averaging about 65 mm.        -   Form.—Elliptical to oval.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Thickness.—Moderately thick.        -   Base.—Varies between asymmetric and symmetric.        -   Apex.—Mostly straight; acute.        -   Margin.—Biserrate.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface: None present. Lower surface: Fine            on veins.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 144A. Lower surface:            144B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface:            147C.        -   Stipules.—Average number: 2. Arrangement: Opposite. Length:            About 11 mm. Width: About 2 mm. Color: 147B.        -   Petiole.—Shape: Straight with thickening and flattening at            the base. Length: About 32 mm to about 50 mm, averaging            about 40 mm. Diameter: 2 mm to 3 mm in the middle. Color:            144C with slight 59C at the base.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Net-like, medium dense. Color: Upper            surface: 144D. Lower surface: 145C.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Pedicel.—Length: Typically in the range of 11-16 mm, with an            average of 14.5 mm. Diameter: 1.8 mm on average. Color:            144B.        -   Bud.—Length: 16.5 mm on average. Width: 13 mm on average.            Color: 63B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Bloom timing.—Early to medium 2 to 3 days before ‘Golden            Delicious’.        -   Blooming period.—Medium; about 7 days and depends on weather            conditions.        -   Pollination requirements.—Diploid, self-sterile, needs good            pollinators such as the common scab-resistant pollinator            Malus (Crab Apple) ‘Evereste’.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—6, rarely 5.        -   Fragrance.—Faint.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Length: 21.9 mm on average. Width: 14.7            mm on average. Shape: Ovate. Aspect: Positioned free to            overlapping. Margin: Entire. Texture and appearance: Soft            and smooth. Color: When opening: Upper surface:155D and 65A            to 65B. Lower surface: 155D and 63C. Fully opened: Upper            surface: 155C and 65C to 65D. Lower surface: 155D and 64D to            65A.        -   Sepals.—Shape: Elongated and conical; pointed. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Finely pubescent. Lower            surface: Pubescence present. Length: 8 mm on average. Width:            3 mm on average. Color: Upper surface: 145B, tip 59B. Lower            surface: 144B, tip 59B.        -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): 19 to 20. Filament length:            6-10 mm.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Oval. Length: 2 mm. Color: 10B.        -   Pollen.—Color: 12B. Amount (generally): Medium to high.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1 pistil with 5 styles fused at the base.            Length: 15.5 mm on average.        -   Style.—Length: 11 mm on average. Color: 145A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: 151B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Eating maturity — after 3 months in            common storage.        -   Date of picking.—Oct. 17, 2006.        -   Size.—Axial diameter: Average of 60 mm. Transverse diameter:            Average of 76 mm.        -   Form.—Globose to obloid.        -   Cavity.—Shape: Funnel-shaped with medium russetting. Depth:            Average of 14 mm. Breadth: Average of 33 mm.        -   Basin.—Shape: Saucer-shaped and smooth with weak irregular            ribbing. Depth: Average of 6 mm. Width: Average of 24 mm.        -   Calyx.—Persistent with semi-erect lobes; absent to weak            crowning at the calyx end of the fruit.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Smooth, free of russet.        -   Tendency to crack.—Absent.        -   Color.—Overcolor absent.        -   Ground color.—13A; with lenticels scarce and so small they            are almost invisible.        -   Bloom or greasiness.—Absent.-   Flesh:    -   -   Aroma.—Medium.        -   Color.—14D.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, and fine-grained.        -   Eating quality.—Very good, rich flavor with a harmonic sugar            to acid ratio.-   Core:    -   -   Bundle area.—On longitudinal section-defined with vascular            strands as onion shaped, width 35 mm, height 24 mm, core            locules moderately open.        -   Bundle.—Vascular strands medium distinct.        -   Calyx tube.—Narrow and funnel-shaped.        -   Depth of tube to shoulder.—15 mm (calyx tube itself).        -   Styles.—Persistent as dry residues.        -   Stamens.—Persistent as dry residues.        -   Seed cells.—Wall: Smooth. Depth: 14 mm. Breadth: 5 mm.            Longitudinal section: About 22 mm (length of seed cell).-   Seeds:    -   -   Number perfect.—10.        -   Number in one cell.—2.        -   Length.—9 mm.        -   Breadth.—About 4 mm.        -   Form.—Long and conical with an acute tip.        -   Color.—166A to 177A.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—Typically between 15 and 20 mm; average of 17 mm.        -   Width.—2 mm on average.        -   Color.—144B and 200C.-   Fruit Characteristics:    -   -   Percent soluble solids.—13.8 Brix.        -   Titratable acidity.—7.86 g/l.        -   Penetrometer reading.—6.2 kg/cm².-   Use: Late dessert variety with a columnar tree type having very good    eating quality and long storage capacity that is primarily suitable    for home gardens.-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Keeping quality: Very good, almost 6 months in common storage.-   Tree winter hardiness: No frost damage observed at the place of    origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately −20° C.-   Bud winter hardiness: No frost damage observed at the place of    origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately −20° C.-   Drought tolerance: Unknown.-   Disease resistance: V_(f)-resistance against scab; mildew tolerance    observed.-   Pest resistance/susceptibility: None observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica (Borkh.) apple treesubstantially as is herein described and illustrated.